Code of Ethics

Identify and discuss at least two provisions of the ANA code of ethics. Provide examples of how your practice is guided by the two provisions you have chosen to discuss.

Through the end of the module, read all of your classmates’ postings and respond to at least two classmates’ posts that differ from your opinion. Consider sharing your own experiences and interpretation of the research. Support your findings with examples and scholarly references. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Remember to remain respectful of all your classmates’ views.

1. POST BY COURTNEY CLANTON
• American Nursing Association Code of Ethics
The first provision requires a nurse to exercise compassion and respect (American Nurses Association, 2015). This should be done out of the inherent worth, dignity and unique characteristics of a person (Delves-Yates, 2015). The latter means the nurse should not discriminate in service delivery or showing respect. A nurse’s actions should be predominantly guided out of compassion, but not out of profit or seeking favor. Respect should be given to all patients and not discriminately. The third provision asserts the need for nurses to promote, protect, and advocate the health, rights, and safety of the patient (Guido, 2014). The latter means that a nurse is an overseer of the patient. Nurses should not allow any harm to happen to patients. Promoting, protecting, and advocating for patients’ rights, health, and safety can be attained through various means such as taking precautionary care when advancing healthcare services, ensuring that other nurses or health practitioners adhere to the set code of standard, and lastly, demanding or changes in areas that a nurse deems is a threat or does not meet the current health standards threshold in a health facility.
The first example of how my practice is guided by the above provisions is evident with how I treat patients with utmost respect and concern. The treatment accorded to patients is not dependent with the patient’s background or the ailment one is suffering from, but it stems from inherent compassion and the need not to judge (Peirce & Smith, 2013). Another example of how the provisions impact my duty as a nurse is evident by how I prioritize a patient’s needs for treatment as it is part of their rights. Besides, I take caution when advancing healthcare.

2. POST BY KELLY FORTSON
The nursing code of ethics comprises of various ethical standards that guide the practice of nurses. The second nursing code of ethics highlights that “The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population” (Zahedi et al., 2013). This is an ethical code that prevents nurses from segregating different patient categories. It is vital for patients to understand that they need to offer medical assistance and guidelines to any category of individuals who need it. For instance, it would be inappropriate for nurses to insist on only handling individual patient cases. They need to handle patient cases that involve individuals, cases where they must address a community health issue, and cases where they are involved with solving a health crisis in an entire family (Lube & Roets, 2014). They should be led by the premise that a patient is an individual or a group that needs medical assistance. The provisions of the above code of ethics guides my practice by promoting transparency. It enables me to treat all patients equally and prioritize the sustainability of my patients.
The third nursing code of conduct is also one of the most essential in nursing practice. It highlights that “The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the patient” (Zahedi et al. 2013). This code of conduct highlights that the responsibility of the nurse to the patient does not just end at the healthcare institution with the provision of medication. It is essential for nurses to advocate for the safety and health of the patient (Davoodvand, Abbaszadeh & Ahmadi, 2016). This would include lobbying for legislation that intends to improve the wellbeing of patients in any setting. Advocacy should also include enlightening patients on their rights and what they should expect from the healthcare practitioners in any healthcare setting (Aydin Er, Ersoy&Celik, 2014). By protecting the rights and health of patients, the nurses should be able to support patients in legal battles about their health through transparency. The provision of this code of ethics guides my practice by enabling me to focus on the rights of the patients to ensure that they receive care in a safe environment. It helps me to improve compliance to offer the best health care services.